BY KAYODE ANIMASAUN
The Ondo state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged residents of the state to cultivate the habit of planting and growing some of the foods they consume rather than buying them from the market.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stated this in Akure while declaring open the 4th edition of the Ondo state international agricultural show and food fair, OSIAFFA, organised by the Ondo state Agricultural Commodities Association, holding in Akure, the state capital with the theme, ‘Food Processing: A panacea to food insecurity.
Represented by the commissioner for agriculture, Chief Olayato Aribo, the governor pointed out that purchasing some of the commodities which could be grown had contributed to outrageous prices of food stuffs.
According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ondo residents should embark on home gardening, sack farming and other agricultural innovative methods to ensure food security in the state.
Also speaking, a former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko described agriculture as the only way to achieve the industrial revolution which Nigeria needs at this time.
Dr Mimiko who described agriculture as one of the most viable sectors in every country stressed the need for a deliberate synergy of agriculture with information technology and financial institutions to make Nigeria compete favourably with other developed countries in the are of agriculture.
In an address, the chairman, Ondo state Agricultural Commodites Association, OSACA, Chief Abiodun Adejo commended the state government for the consistent assistance given to farmers in Ondo state.
Chief Adejo said though cases of attacks on farmers had reduced in the state, some farmers were still being attacked by suspected herdsmen, urging the state government to address the menace before it went out of hands.
Highlights of the event were investitures of Governor Aiyedatiwa as grand Patron of OSACA and former governor Mimiko as Life Patron of OSACA as well as inspection of exhibition stands by guests at the event.
The programme continues on Thursday with an exhibition and food fair.